For years, heavy rains and rising waters from River Yala have disrupted life in Usenge, Siaya County, leaving residents struggling to reach markets, farms and essential services. Now, the construction of the Dhogoye Bridge is giving the community fresh hope that the difficult chapter could finally be coming to an end.
Highlights
- Construction of the Dhogoye Bridge is ongoing in Usenge, Siaya County.
- The project includes a 200-metre bridge and 4.3 kilometres of approach roads.
- We created a temporary route to help boda boda riders cross the affected section.
- The project is expected to improve access to markets, schools and healthcare.
- Residents anticipate increased trade and new business opportunities once the bridge is complete.
Flooding Has Disrupted Life for Years
Residents of Usenge have long struggled with flooding whenever heavy rains cause River Yala to swell.
The situation has affected transport, businesses, farming and access to essential services. When the main route becomes difficult to use, locals have had to look for alternative ways of crossing, including relying on boats.
For traders, the disruption has often meant additional costs and lost business. Some residents also say flooding has forced families to abandon homes and farmland in affected areas.
Construction Brings Relief
The ongoing construction of the Dhogoye Bridge has started changing the situation.
As part of the works, measures have been put in place to improve the movement of water around the crossing while construction of the main bridge continues.
A temporary road has also been created, particularly helping boda boda riders and other local users move between the two sides as they wait for the permanent structure to be completed.
Residents say the temporary arrangements have already made movement easier compared to previous rainy seasons.
A Long-Delayed Project
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is implementing the project, which includes a 200-metre bridge and 4.3 kilometres of approach roads.
Delays affected the construction that began in 2021. Efforts to revive the project eventually caused the project to resume, and the government reported significant progress by June 2026.
Officials expect the bridge to provide an all-weather connection along the Bondo-Usenge-Osieko corridor after completion.
The improved route will also strengthen the link between Siaya and Busia counties.
Residents Expect Business to Grow
Beyond easier transport, residents believe the project could open a new chapter for the local economy.
Better access to markets will benefit farmers and fishermen, while traders will see more customers and goods moving.
Some locals are also hopeful that improved connectivity will attract new businesses, including ventures linked to the fishing industry, while encouraging people who had considered leaving the area to stay.
For residents who have endured years of disruption, the bridge represents more than a transport project. People living nearby see the bridge as an opportunity to restore livelihoods and open new chances for the next generation.
A New Sense of Hope
The change in mood is particularly evident among businesspeople who have experienced repeated losses during periods when flooding cut off movement.
Residents now hope the completed bridge will reduce those disruptions and make Usenge more accessible throughout the year.
Construction progresses; the community looks beyond crossing River Yala to a future without weather dictating trade, farming, fishing, and movement.
For the people of Usenge, the Dhogoye Bridge is becoming a symbol of something they have waited years to feel again: the belief that better days are possible.
